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Article
Partner Violence During Pregnancy and Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology (2004)
  • Ann L. Coker, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
  • Maureen Sanderson, University of Texas at Brownsville
  • Beili Dong
Abstract
The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association betwee npartner physical or emotional abuse during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome sincluding perinatal death, low birthweight and preterm delivery. Women, aged 18–65, who attended one of two large primary care practices from 1997–98 were recruited for this study. Ever pregnant women were asked the frequency of abuse during each pregnancy and details of the pregnancy outcomes. Information regarding abuse during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes was available for 755 women surveyed who reported a live birth or late fetal death, 14.7% indicated that an intimate partner was violent or abusive toward them during a pregnancy (274 of 1862 pregnancies). Abuse during pregnancy was significantly associated with an increased risk of perinatal death (adjusted relative risk [aRR]=2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3, 3.4) and, among live births, with preterm low birthweight (aRR=2.4; 95% CI 1.5, 4.0) and term low birthweight (aRR=1.9; 95% CI 1.0, 3.4). Greater abuse frequency was associated with increased risk. Abuse during pregnancy was associated with perinatal deaths and preterm low birthweight deliveries.
Keywords
  • violence against women,
  • pregnancy,
  • abuse,
  • partner violence
Publication Date
July, 2004
Citation Information
Ann L. Coker, Maureen Sanderson and Beili Dong. "Partner Violence During Pregnancy and Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes" Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology Vol. 18 Iss. 4 (2004)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/anncoker/70/